Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Ten of Bahrain’s brightest students have been selected to take part in the Crown Prince’s International Scholarship Programme (CPISP) which nurtures young minds to help them turn into outstanding members of the community.
The programme, first established in 1999 by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, provides talented Bahrainis from private and public schools with fully-funded scholarships covering all fees, travel and living expenses to complete their further education in universities in the UK, US, France and Canada.
Since its inception, it has awarded 146 youngsters with the opportunity of a lifetime, including this latest batch of recipients.
Esmat Ahmed, head of public relations and media, said: “The CPISP prides itself on being one of the most distinguishable scholarship programmes in the region, with many benefits for its recipients.
“Scholars can choose their own major, university, and country of study, and have the freedom to seek employment in any country or organisation that will further their career, dreams and aspirations.
“Their success, be it in Bahrain or internationally, is regarded as an achievement for the kingdom. To be selected as a scholarship recipient is a very competitive process.”
The selection process starts a year before the students graduate from secondary school and they must apply before they complete their 11th grade, or equivalent.
The CPISP staff will brief students with high GPAs about the programme and its application criteria through presentations and school visits. Students then submit their applications to the Scholarship Office within a specified deadline, and sit for qualifying tests to assess their English proficiency and critical-reasoning abilities.
To qualify as a CPISP applicant, students must have Bahraini citizenship as well as 97 per cent or higher cumulative GPA for grade 10 and the first semester of grade 11. A minimum of 60 students are then short-listed based on their GPAs and qualifying test scores, and join the CPISP Candidacy Programme, which leads to the selection of the final recipients. Students taking part in the early stages include a minimum of 20 public school boys, 20 public school girls, 10 private school boys and 10 private school girls.
During the candidacy stage, the CPISP works in co-operation with local institutions and arranges for the candidates to take part in critical thinking and leadership training. It also offers foundation courses to prepare students for their IELTS and SAT exams.
Candidates also receive personality and career path assessment, take part in an academic writing course, complete a Level 3 certificate in Team Leading from the Chartered Management Institute, and attend guest lectures on various topics related to their academic and career plans, and personal development.
The final recipients are selected based on their GPA, SAT scores, IELTS scores, and critical thinking and leadership training results. It includes three public school boys, three public school girls, two private school boys and two private school girls.
The selection process, including all student scores and grades, is reviewed by an independent auditing firm to ensure accuracy and transparency and the scholars must maintain a GPA of 3.0 to keep the award.
Financial support continues until their doctorate degree if the participants choose to pursue their education to this level.
Miss Ahmed said: “The cultural exposure they receive from studying abroad introduces them to different international backgrounds, mindsets and styles of life that will contribute to their personal development as well as professionally prepare them to the international global job market.
“The Ministry of Education school students who undergo two years of boarding school are better prepared to excel in international universities, culturally and academically.”
The 2014 scholars were picked out of 166 Bahrainis, one of whom received full marks on her SAT – Critical Reading examination, as well as another who received full marks on his SAT – Math examination. Two scholars have already received early university admissions in the US; one to Harvard University and another to Stanford University.
For more information, visit www.cpisp.bh which also includes the individual achievements of its scholars.
